California Biographies
Mendocino and Lake Counties, California
Transcribed by Peggy Hooper
This file is part of the California Genealogy & History Archives
http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~cagha/index.htm
Source:
History of Mendocino and Lake Counties, California
With Biographical Sketches
History by Aurelius O. Carpenter And Percy H. Millberry
Illustrated, Complete In One Volume
Historic Record Company, Los Angeles, California, 1914
RICHARD DORRANCE BONHAM.� Since the fertility of the Lower
Lake region has become known the adaptability of its soil and climate to a
variety of valuable crops hitherto not considered seriously by agriculturists
has come to be appreciated, and as one experiment after another has turned
out successfully the assets of this section have been increased notably. As
an orchardist Richard D. Bonham, who has a fine stock and fruit ranch in
Weldon valley, is considered one of the most enterprising men of his section.
He has given especial attention to the raising of almonds and walnuts, and
his intelligent. efforts have given an impetus to fruit and nut growing in his
locality which has directly benefited many besides himself. Mr. Bonham
rents his range land, but oversees personally all the work in his orchard,
giving the details his closest attention and keeping track of results with the
utmost diligence.
Hiram Jefferson and Martha Ann (Heard) Bonham, parents of Richard
D. Bonham, are now living at Yuba City, Cal., the father aged eighty-four
years, the mother eighty. Hiram J. Bonham is a native of Missouri, and
came to California in 1862. During his active years he was engaged in farm-
ing, living in San Joaquin county until about 1877 and thereafter in Tehama
county. A family of twelve children was born to him and his wife, eight
still surviving, viz.: H. H., a resident of Sonoma county; J. W., who is a
farmer near Lower Lake; C. A., an orchardist, of Yuba City; Richard D., our
subject; Emma, Mrs. A. P. Westfall, of Tehama county: Mary J., Mrs. Ran-
nells, of Lower Lake; Lizzie, Mrs. R. Hurlbert, and Mrs. Nellie Smith, both
of Colusa county.
Richard D. Bonham was born November 30, 1864, near Stockton, in San
Joaquin county, Cal., and lived there until a boy of twelve years, at which
time he moved with his parents to Tehama county. His education was con-
tinued in the public schools there, and he completed the grammar course in
that county, after his graduation becoming his father's assistant in fruit grow-
ing and stock raising, at which he had worked from boyhood. In time he
became his father's partner in the farm and stock business, living in Tehama
county until his removal to Lower Lake, in 1890. Here he bought the stock
and fruit ranch of two thousand acres in Weldon valley which he still owns.
and twenty acres of this property is set out in almonds and walnuts. A part
of this orchard has been in bearing for seven years, and another part is just
beginning to bear. Mr. Bonham has not only kept up his original orchard
by planting new trees each year as necessary, but he has been increasing it
steadily as experience has made him more confident in his enterprise, and
he has kept this part of his land in his own hands, directing its development
and improvement with gratifying results. Usually he keeps one hundred
head of. cattle and one hundred and fifty hogs. The ranch, known as "Sweet
Hollow Range," is watered by several small streams and numerous springs,
several of them being soda springs of known medicinal value. Mr. Bonham's
up-to-date ideas and progressive methods are recognized by all who know
him, and have brought him considerable reputation in his agricultural ventures.
For some time Mr. Bonham has been connected with the Jago Cash Store
at Lower Lake, where he is chief clerk � a trusted employe and one of the
most familiarly known figures in the general mercantile business in this
region. His ability and high character make him a popular and valuable aid
in the conduct of this large business.
In 1892 Mr. Bonham was married to Miss Mary Margaret Hanson, whose
father, D. M. Hanson, attorney, is one of the well-known pioneer residents
of Lake county. He was the first man in the county to engage in the growing
of almonds, and he is not only a successful lawyer and agriculturist but also
an editorial writer, connected with the Vallejo Chronicle. Mr. and Mrs. Bon-
ham have had one child, Virginia, now nine years old. The family occupy
one of the finest residences in Lower Lake, which Mr. Bonham built in 1912,
and which is a credit to the town as well as a convenient and commodious
home. Both Mr. and Mrs. Bonham have been active in fraternal work. He
is a past grand of Clear Lake Lodge, No. 130, I. O. O. F., and has represented
that body in the grand lodge, and he and his wife belong to the Rebekahs.
He is also a member of Lower Lake Parlor, N. S. G. W., and Mrs. Bonham is
a leading member of Laguna Parlor, N. D. G. W. at Lower Lake. On polit-
ical questions he acts with the Republican party.